Preserved Meat: Pride of Traditional Chinese Cuisine

Whether as a side dish for breakfast or as the protagonist of a banquet, cured meat is an indispensable essence of traditional Chinese cuisine. Its unique flavor and production process have made it one of the popular cooked foods in the world. In this article, I will take you to understand the historical origins, production techniques, and culinary culture of cured meat, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the connotation and charm of this delicacy.

Preserved meat refers to meat products that have been marinated and processed, including pork, beef, lamb, chicken, etc. Preserved meat plays a very important role in traditional Chinese culture. As early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, there were methods for making pickled meat. By the Tang Dynasty, preserved meat had become one of the main dishes at banquets. With the evolution of the times, the production process of cured meat has also become increasingly perfect, and now cured meat has become a delicacy with strong local characteristics.

The production process of cured meat is a complex process, usually including pickling, drying, smoking, and other steps. Among them, pickling is the most crucial step, and the length of pickling time, the type and proportion of pickling materials will all affect the taste and quality of cured meat. Drying and smoking are aimed at achieving the effects of drying, preservation, and enhancing the aroma of meat products. Due to differences in climate, customs, and taste preferences in different regions, the production process of cured meat varies in each region, which is also a source of diversity and richness in cured meat.

The culinary culture of cured meat is also worth mentioning, as it plays a very important role in traditional Chinese culture. Whether in daily life or cultural activities, cured meat is an indispensable presence. For example, in Chinese traditional festivals, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Spring Festival, people will taste bacon to worship their ancestors and celebrate the festival. In addition, cured meat is also the protagonist in some local specialty snacks and dining dishes, such as Guangdong's cured glutinous rice, Sichuan's cured hot pot, and Hunan's cured stir fried rice cake, etc. Each dish embodies the local people's love and creativity for cured meat.

Besides in China, cured meat is also one of the beloved delicacies of people around the world. In Japan, there is a type of food similar to Chinese cured meat called "smoked pork", which is a very popular ingredient widely used in cooking various dishes. In Europe and North America, people also like bacon very much, and often use it in the production of sandwiches, Fried Rice and other foods.

Overall, cured meat is a treasure in traditional Chinese cuisine, with a long history, complex craftsmanship, and unique flavor, making it a pride in Chinese culinary culture. Whether in China or around the world, cured meat is one of the beloved and highly respected delicacies. If you haven't tried cured meat yet, why not give it a try and experience its unique flavor and the charm of culinary culture.